Kraft Heinz has appointed Kellanova chief Steve Cahillane as group CEO ahead of its planned break-up next year.
Cahillane will step into the role of CEO and take a seat on Kraft Heinz’s board on 1 January. He will serve as CEO of Global Taste Elevation Co following the group’s separation into two independent, publicly traded companies.
Cahillane brings a wealth of industry experience to the role, having served as chairman, president and CEO of Kellanova until its acquisition by Mars Incorporated this month.
During his time at the helm, Cahillane led the company through a period of transformative growth, overseeing the expansion of the company’s global brand portfolio, including Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts and Kellogg’s.
He led Kellogg Company through the successful separation of its North American cereal business and the launch of Kellanova.
Over the course of his 30-year-career, Cahillane has also held senior executive roles at The Nature’s Bounty Co, The Coca-Cola Company and AB InBev.
A ‘seamless’ transition
Kraft Heinz’s current CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera will step down on 1 January and serve as an advisor to the company until 6 March 2026, to ensure “a seamless leadership transition”, according to the business.
“On behalf of the board and everyone at Kraft Heinz, we are incredibly grateful to Carlos for his many contributions to the company, serving not only as CEO but in other critical leadership roles,” said Miguel Patricio, chair of the Kraft Heinz board.
“Carlos helped transform the company into a more agile and innovative organisation and laid the groundwork for the upcoming separation.”
Cahillane said: “I am honored to be joining Kraft Heinz as CEO at such a pivotal and exciting time.”
“I’m confident the planned separation will accelerate the company’s ability to compete and win in today’s environment and unlock the immense opportunity in front of us.”
As part of the leadership transition, John T Cahill, vice chair of Kraft Heinz’s board, and who was CEO of Kraft prior to the combination with Heinz, will become board chair.
Cahill will continue to lead the board’s separation committee, which he has led since its formation earlier this year.
The board will also initiate a global search for a CEO to lead North American Grocery Co.
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